Rehearsal With Costuming

Spent most of the day typing up a portion of my Arsenic dialogue.  Having it on separate sheets is handier than the bound script we have and besides, it's an aid to memorizing.  Also viewed more of the DVD Eric had given me.  Went early to Manahawkin to run a few errands and was gratified to realize twilight is getting later and later. Hate driving in the dark; in fact, generally speaking, hate the dark.
Stopped at Kohl's to exchange the blouse I bought the other day--for a bigger size, I'm afraid--and at Staples for a desk calendar.  However, I got to rehearsal early, anyway.  Lou let me in and said John, who plays a policeman, was already there, so I went to the room while he waited for others.  (One of the annoying things about rehearsing here, aside from being in a "dance room" lined with mirrors, but with no chairs, is that the door locks automatically.)
Got acquainted with impossibly young John, who's in his first year at Ocean Community College--I peg him at 19--and we exchanged theatre stories.  Suddenly, the fire alarms in the hall started to flash and emit a siren loud enough to split your ear drums.  We went out there and found that the adjoining doors were closed--automatically, we found out later--and signs on them read "Do Not Open; Alarm Will Sound."  (It didn't occur to us to ignore this, as the alarm was already sounding.)
Well, the upshot was, other members of the cast didn't get in for another half-hour.  They had to wait in the cold at the locked entrance until a janitor came along.  Therefore, we started late and were delayed farther for a good reason: the two "wardrobe mistresses" were there.
Wowee, what a delightful contrast with LETCO!  When you perform with them, some unenthusiastic volunteer might make a stab at costuming, but for the most part, you do it yourself.  These girls (one is director Lou's daughter, Lindsay, a terrific singer herself, whom I saw in Beans, Biscotti, and Broadway a few weeks ago) called each of us over individually and recorded heights and phone numbers, then actually took a number of measurements. The other young woman, Noelle, had illustrations of appropriate costumes on her laptop to show and both asked for input from us.  I was blown away by their professionalism.
We didn't start rehearsing until almost seven, but so what, it was a good session.  Most of us are partially off-book, which is always more satisfying than holding a script.  We rehearsed until 9:00, so I was late getting home, but that was okay.
Busy day coming up today.  

More Lunch

Soon, soon, very soon, I'm going to have to start limiting lunch dates!  I'm getting fatter by the hour and also, am spending a barrel of dough on them.  But what's that lament by a sinner?  Something like "Make me godly, O Lord--but not just yet."  Yeah, I'll reform next week or so.
Picked Aline up at our usual 12:30 and she suggested Applebee's, a good choice, as I hadn't been there lately.  I can hardly believe it, considering I rarely eat mammal flesh at home, but I saw a "half sandwich of roast beef, bacon, and mushroom" and had to have it.  It came on rye soaked in, I guess, bacon fat, which sounds gross, but tasted divine.  I ate every scrap, along with a Caesar salad and a crisp Blue Moon. 
I had told Aline I had a number of stops to make after, and she was glad to accompany me.  We went to Kohl's where I finally found a pair of snow boots I liked and picked up a blouse, too.  Considering it's February, I assumed boots would be on sale, but they weren't; however, I got fifteen percent off.
Went to Shop-Rite for groceries, then B.J.'s for cottage cheese (I buy their three-pound tubs and got two of them).  Aline asked to be dropped off at the library, where we said goodbye after a pleasant, companionable day.  Got home after 4:00 and realized I hadn't sent the three packages I wrapped yesterday, so rushed back to the post office and got them off.
Started viewing the Arsenic video Eric McD. had given me.  It's the play, done in 1983, I think, and I'm glad to have it.  I won't slavishly follow my character's "tone," but might pick up some things I'd like to incorporate into my performance.
Today, I must prepare for a busy tomorrow: Dionne Quint program in the morning, for which I'm picking up Aline; activities meeting with Leslie in the afternoon; and rehearsal in the evening.  

Not A Whole Lot

Nothing noteworthy went on yesterday.  I have three packages to send and I wrapped two of them.  I'm not sure if one will go; it consists of two bottles (plastic) of NyQuil a certain someone in London asked me to send,  I'm torn over whether to fib when they ask "anything liquid, fragile, or hazardous?" or not.  If I pretend it isn't liquid, I'm afraid they'll hear it sloshing--I did.  Then they'll put me in Levenworth and I'll never see sunlight again.
Another package is a baby gift for Carl and Diana L's new little girl.  Had to go out to buy a card, but it's now ready to go. Third package I still have to wrap are Valentine gifts for the little boys in Wellsboro.
Leslie sent me an e-mail inviting me to go with her to several meetings in our community.  I called her and we had a nice chat.  We also hashed over the Super Bowl party with satisfying agreement on who's a doll and who's a dud.  I'll go to two events with her, one a hike, which I'll be glad to get back to.
Aline called and we made a date to--guess what?  Correct on the first try--go to lunch today! 
Before rehearsal last night, I stopped at Kohl's and saw they have the snow boots I like.  Will try to get back there with Aline to try them on today.
Went to exercise in the morning and survived it.  Went to rehearsal and as ever, there was no place else I'd rather have been.       

Boots

While walking with Susan through the slush, I remarked that I wanted to get new snow boots.  The ones I had on were so old--about 20 years--they were starting to develop little cracks.  The words were hardly out of my mouth when I took a step and the sole partly separated from the uppers.  Geesh.
Luckily, we were at a point where we were able to get home quickly, and we did.
After breakfast, I drove to Boscov's, as they were having a boot and shoe sale.  I was disappointed they didn't have a style and size I wanted and will try Kohl's today. I did buy a "loop scarf" in a wonderfully soft faux-fur.  Will wear it for this morning's walk.
Home, I showered and dressed and went to the H.'s Super Bowl party.  The game itself was a bore--they all are for me--but the food was yummy and the company congenial.
Must practice my lines for rehearsal tonight.  

Various

After getting up so late, I stopped over at Susan's.  She was at Acme and I was about to leave when Walter and I got into a lively discussion, prompted by his remark about "the Chinese and Russians" hacking into "our" computers.  I took exception to that and we had a back-and-forth exchange, but it was cordial.  Our talk centered in a shadowy way on "words versus math and science," but ranged all over the map. 
Walter is a retired electrical engineer who now studies personality.  His interest is not the "he's shy because his mother was a strip tease artist" type.  It's all math and formulas and synapses and so on.  A few years ago, Walter wrote a book called The Psychology of Consciousness, which he gave me.  
Anyhoo, the rest of the day was fun.  I went shopping with a companion, then had dinner at her place.  Home by 7:00. 
Going to the Haggerstone's Super Bowl party tonight.  Don't even know who's playing and don't care, but I'll enjoy the social aspect.

Friends And Fun

Terrific, friends-and-fun-filled day!  I was dismayed to see the snow after our walk, but it accumulated only an inch or so and no prob.  Picked up Leslie, then Aline and we went to Dockside.  We all had sweet-and-sour chicken over rice, although their bean soup is fabulous.
We talked and talked, then talked some more and closed the place at 2:00.  They then went with me while I took a second dry run to find the H.'s house, way out on Nugentown Road.
Dropped Aline off, then Leslie.  They both emphasized how much they enjoyed our little excursion, which pleased me so much. I was quite sure they'd hit it off, and they did.  They're both gentle souls, Aline much more outgoing than Les, but in a modest, self-effacing way.   Anyway, it was great fun.
Did wash and puttered around, then showered and dressed for the Hedda Gabler production meeting.  For some reason, this had been called for the ungodly hour of 8:00, not our usual seven, let alone Our Gang's rehearsals at six. Picked up Aline and we got there with no problem.
We joined Jim and Mary, Desi, Kathy De V., Kevin B. (who murdered me in Night Must Fall, but hey, he's a good kid otherwise), and Ellen V.  Ellen, who's 78 years old, won't be able to see Arsenic, as she's leaving soon for an excursion to the Galapagos Islands.  Far from sitting on a veranda with a mimosa in one hand and a romance novel in the other, she'll hike and kayak during her "vacation" and, for all I know, follow her hobby of white-water rafting.
What a wonderful evening it was!  We sat at the bar in the H.'s beautiful big home and talked and talked and talked.  Topics ranged over Hedda--which we now found must be rescheduled for next February, a full year away-to opera, to Broadway, to Our Gang Players.  Jim and Mary had been very active in OGP years ago, Jim even on the board, but they seem to have had a falling-out.  We talked about experiences with other productions and the various--often hilarious--snafus that can happen on and off stage..
Anyway, it was a fabulous evening.  I stuck to beer, rather than wine--the H.'s stock very extensive booze offerings--and there were lots of nibbles, which took the place of dinner for me. 
Even more nourishing, though, was the talk and camaraderie.  Much as I like my neighbors here, it's so good to be with those outside this community.  Last night, I was entirely comfortable with people who share my love for the theatre and performing.  It was a rare and beautiful experience that pointed up the exquisite nature of the life of the mind.
I didn't get home until almost midnight. I had told Susan I'd probably skip our walk today and I did.  Slept until the ungodly hour of 8:16 and awoke relaxed, refreshed, and full of beans.  

Friends Again With Comcast

Took my coat back to Macy's and bought another.  Wouldn't you know, it  was almost fifty bucks more than the first, the price of which was hefty enough, even discounted.  Treated myself to lunch at the mall, just a small pasta salad, and looked in a few other stores, but--
How I hate, hate, hate the mall and malls in general.  They're cathedrals to mindless consumerism, of course, everybody knows that, but they also seem to encompass the very worst of modern day horrors.  The food court has been outfitted with at least five large televisions, high up on pillars.  It's impossible not to believe the sound system is designed to deafen patrons after it drives them mad.  Add to that the axillary noise, the hordes of frantic shoppers vying to throw their money away on items they don't need, the screaming children....  I was glad to get away with my sanity intact.
Went over to Babies 'R' Us and got a cute little set for Carl's and Diana's new arrival, then to B.J.'s for pumpernickel.
Stopped at the library on the way home, thinking Aline was probably there and she was.  We had a good talk, and firmed up plans for lunch today and for the Hedda Gabler production meeting tonight.  I called Leslie to invite her along for lunch and, if we can synchronize, she'll join us.   
Continuing my on-going battle with Comcast, I was on the phone and "on the chat" for several hours yesterday.  I think I finally got through to them that I don't want them to pick up my messages.  So am I back to normal?  No.  I followed instructions about re-recording my message greeting, but it was through Comcast and after all the strife, my phone is still not retaining my messages.
Note: Oh, happy day!  Finally, after yet another call to Comcast, my phone is getting messages.  ALL IS FORGIVEN, COMCAST!